RF Craig Monroe is trying to make the Pirates' management's decision very difficult. �He slammed three home runs in today's Grapefruit League game, bringing his spring total to 6, and his RBI total to 9. �If the Pirates want to keep that power bat around, they will need to add him to the 25-man roster by the end of spring training, or else give him his release. �Today, Monroe was responsible for 4 of the Pirates' 6 runs, with solo homers in the 2nd and 3rd innings, and a 2-run homer in the 6th inning. �CF Nate McLouth and C Ryan Doumit joined in the fun in the third inning, as they both hit solo homers for the other two Pirates' runs. �The Pirates also had 5 non-homer hits: �a double by DH Steve Pearce, and singles by CF Andrew McCutchen, 2B Luis Cruz, 1B Adam LaRoche, and LF-RF Jose Tabata. �A few others got into the game also: 3B Neil Walker,�C Steve Lerud, 1B Garrett Jones, LF Jeff Salazar, SS Brian Bixler, and 3B Pedro Alvarez.
Not to be overlooked in the boom-fest: �starting pitcher Virgil Vasquez made his first Grapefruit League start, going 3 scoreless innings and allowing only 2 hits to get the win. �Six other pitchers followed with one inning of work each: Denny Bautista gave up a homer in the 4th inning. �Sean Burnett�had his most difficult inning of the spring, as he gave up 3 runs on 4 hits and a walk in the 8th inning. �Craig Hansen, Tyler Yates, Jesse Chavez, and Chris Bootcheck each pitched a scoreless inning. �Bootcheck earned the save with a perfect inning of work in the 9th, including 2 strikeouts. �
Notes:
Add to the walking wounded:
Shelby Ford -- fell onto his right wrist while playing yesterday, and now it's bruised. �Not sure how long he'll be out.
Andy Phillips -- hurt his back while getting off the bus yesterday, and now it's stiff. �He's not able to swing well, so he's out for ?? a couple of days.
Phil Dumatrait --��his shoulder (post-surgery) is doing fine, but today he has developed some soreness in his left arm, and has been told to shut down for a week or so. �Unlikely he'll be ready to go by Opening Day.
Eric Hinske -- �not an addition-- he's still out with a rib injury, but he's taking dry swings and doing ok with those�
The Pirates' batters were happy campers today, as nearly everyone contributed to the 16-hit, 14-run game, which included 4-run rallies in the 3rd and 8th innings.
